Primary Care Patient Wait Times Have Increased

New patients now face an average wait of 13.5 days for primary care appointments.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Isometric editorial illustration of a row of empty clinical office chairs in a sterile hallway, symbolizing healthcare wait times. — Patient wait times for primary and surgical care in the United States have reached an average of 13.5 days, according to new conference data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are wait times for new primary care appointments increasing in your local area?

Data released at a recent MGMA conference shows that patient wait times for both primary and surgical care have risen across the United States. Medical groups are increasingly turning to advanced practice providers to manage the growing demand for healthcare services.

Why it matters

An aging population is placing significant pressure on the national care management system, which is currently limited by the number of physicians completing training each year. To address these bottlenecks, medical practices are adjusting their staffing models and scheduling workflows.

New primary care patient wait times have climbed to 13.5 days, up from 9.5 days. Meanwhile, 48 percent of medical groups have increased the hiring of advanced practice providers compared to physicians.

The players

MGMA

This is a professional association that represents medical practice leaders and provides data-driven insights into healthcare administration.

Andy Swanson

He is a representative who shared updated healthcare data at the national MGMA conference.

The details

Medical groups are actively reworking operations by extending office hours and modifying scheduling templates to mitigate delays. By shifting care team ratios, providers aim to expand capacity while navigating a constrained supply of new physicians entering the workforce.

November 2025: Medical groups increased advanced practice provider hiring.
July 14, 2026: MGMA poll conducted regarding new-patient wait times.
September 30, 2026: Data was presented at the MGMA conference in San Antonio.
2027: New benchmark figures are expected to be released.

Market Landscape

This trend mirrors the ongoing shift in the healthcare sector as clinics modernize operations to remain competitive in a supply-constrained environment. The transition follows the pattern set by the Medical Group Management Association benchmarking programs regarding administrative efficiency.

Patients may experience longer delays when attempting to schedule initial appointments with primary care physicians or surgeons. To minimize wait times, individuals are encouraged to ask their providers if they can be seen by an advanced practice provider instead of a physician.

The takeaway

Patients should prepare for longer lead times when booking routine or non-urgent medical appointments across the country. Seeking care from physician assistants or nurse practitioners can often provide a faster alternative to waiting for a physician.